Co-founder of BR549 and three-time Grammy nominee Gary Bennett grew up in Texas and Washington State. He received his first guitar and wrote his first songs at eight-years-old. He played bass in a local, traveling country gospel band when he was 16.

He worked as a timber cutter before playing in Portland country bands full time at 25-years-old. He moved to Nashville in 1993 and met Chuck Mead to start BR549. The band travelled the world many times over while recording five albums on Arista Records.

Besides earning 3 Grammy nods, Gary has appeared on countless TV shows such as Conan O'Brien, David Letterman, Nashville TV and more. In 2013 Gary returned to the Pacific NW, bought the home he was raised in and started the Coattail Riders. 

Shawn O'Connor grew up in Kelso, Washington and began playing guitar at age 10. He's been a regular on the Portland music scene for over 20-years.
He's worked with Nicolette Larsen, Bobby Bare, Little Jimmy Dickens, Joni Harms and has shared the stage with Randy Travis, Blackhawk, Diamond Rio, Lonestar and Mark Collie to name a few.

Rudi Spain bass player worked with such notable Portland bands as Buckboard and has been on the Portland music scene for over 30-years.

Website:

http://www.gbatctr.com/